Billesdon Brook the longest valued winner in the history of 1,000 Guineas, passed away at the age of 7.
The Richard Hannon-trained player started 66-1 off the field when he landed QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in 2018 under the guidance of Sean Levey and once again proved himself in the lead when won the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) on the same course the following year.
Billesdon Brook who retired in 2020, delivered a pony by Dubai this year and was in King at the time of her death.
Jeanette McCreery, whom Stowell Hill Stud crossed with Billesdon Brook and who competed with her for the partnership, said: “It was terrible – everyone was extremely upset about it. She had breakfast, she ate. She was out grazing on the lawn with her pony and she suddenly started looking uncomfortable.
“We called the vet and thought she had an upset stomach or something. She went to the hospital and she had a very rare type of blockage in her intestines.
“They decided to have surgery and when they opened her up they said there was absolutely no way to save her, she was in so much pain and they gave her death.”
Reminiscing about the mare’s racing career, McCreery said: “We had such a great time with her, she was such a character – she did what she wanted to.”
‘It was huge for me’
Billesdon Brook beat multiple winners group 1 Laurens about second place when shocking in Guineas and Levey said: “It was a special day for everyone, especially Jeanette, who bred so many beautiful horses.
“She’s always taken the next step from Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn (G3) and I think if she settles down she’ll be in the first four teams. Everything went right and it’s huge for me because of this. My first group.
“She’s a huge outsider and people feel it’s not a real Guineas so it’s the icing on the cake for her to win another group 1 in the Chariot of the Sun – the more I see it when I get injured and she waits for me to come back before she gets another win.
“She’s got great natural speed. In races where they’ve galloped really, which you get in group 1, she’s stable — if she’s steady, she’s dangerous. .”
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